At 8:00 PM tonight, Adam Jones has a chance to join Cal Ripken, Jr. (1991) and Miguel Tejada (2004) as the only Orioles to ever win the Home Run Derby. Sportsbookdefinitely doesn’t love Jones’ chances, giving 12-1 odds for him to be crowned the champion. The only bigger long shot is Brian Dozier at 18-1. So if you’re a pessimist, you’re thinking that it doesn’t look too good for Jonesy. But if you’re an optimist and a homer like me, you’re getting ready to laugh all the way to the bank.

12-1 are great odds if you’re looking to make the derby a little more interesting with a wager on the hometown slugger. God only knows that Jones will swing hard enough to put up some impressive totals. And the last time that I checked, his pitcher won’t be tossing him any breaking balls in the dirt. If Jones doesn’t get too overanxious at the plate, he has a real opportunity to do some damage and surprise some people. Also, winning the derby is the most logical step for Jones’ career at this point.

In 2012, he made his mark at the derby by eating ribs with John Kruk.

In 2013, he was mic’d up and did not disappoint. Jones goofed around with a WWE championship belt, spoke Spanglish, and cracked jokes left and right.

From rib eater, to comedian, to champion. We’ve seen the transition a million times before. Jones has proven that he can eat and entertain with the best of them, and now it’s time for him to prove that he can hit bombs with them too. I can’t wait to watch Jones pull off the upset with a homer-mashing clinic, and bring the derby trophy back to Charm City. Let’s go Jones!